Operating table



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 7%410'. TORNEYS.

INVENTOR5. ff. Manning Ward 3. Barier:

W. H. MANNING ET AL OPERATING TABLE Filed April 26, 1935 Sept. 12, 1939.

Sept. 12, 1939. w. H. MANNING ET AL 2,172,941

" OPERATING TABLE Filed April 26, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY5.

Sept. 12, 1939. w. H. MANNING El AL OPERATING TABLE Filed April 26, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 a w WM 2 1 mda a lfi Z a z N a 1 z M m 2 Wm f y ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 12, 1939. w. H. MANNING ET AL OPERATING TABLE Filed April 26, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 QNQ mm I INVENTOR5. WzZlzam Marrrrz'ng Harvard ,5. Bar/r67.

BY W 7% ATTORNEYS.

orm lmw.

:William "H. Manning and Howard Barker, a Pontiac, Mich.

Application April 26, 1935, Serial No. 18,384

3 Claims.

'I'he invention relates to surgical equipment and has particularrelation to a surgeon's operating table.

' While surgeon's operating tables have been used for many years, certain disadvantages have characterized jthem and are particularly apparent during use of the table in the performance of surgical operations. Certain typesof sectional tables have been provided wherein thesectionS may 'be disposed in yarying,relative angularity and wherein the table top may be tiltedtransversely and longitudinally, and means have been provided for making these several adjustments. So far as known, the constructions previously provided have been complicated and difficult to manipulate properly} particularly because the means for controlling the. several adjustments are not easily'accessible during a surgical operation.

As a matter of practice, sheets of covering mate rial usually are, employed to drape or cover the patient during an operation and these depend downwardly over the sides and ends of the top in such manner that theadjusting means is within such depending sides andends of the covering material. This has made it very' diflicult tomake amustments quickly and accurately as it has practicallybeen necessary during a surgical operation that the person making the adjustments must as a matter of necessity get under and around the table and within the depending sides and ends of the cover before access to the adjusting means obtained. These conditions make it almost impossible for the person making the adjustments to manipulate the achusting means and at the same time observe the manner in which the top is being adjusted. It can be readily appreciated how difficult it is for a person to stoop'and get under the sides or ends of the covering andmake the adjustments and at the same'time watch the movement of the table to the end that the proper adjustments are secured. v 7

One object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in operating tables wherein the table may be adjusted in different directions in a simple, positive and accurate manner.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an operating table of adjustable character, wherein. adjustment of the table in different directions can'be made quickly and accurately with a minimumofjefiort and time requirements so as to enable the surgeon and his assistant orassistants to continue the operation with a minimum of interference.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating table of adjustable character wherein the control means for. making the various adjustments on the tableare readily accessible and so located that the anesthetist or person making the adjustments may have an unobscured vision and proper perspective of the movement of the table resulting from manipulation of the control means.

Another object of the'invention is to provide an operating table of adjustable character where- 1 in the control means for making the adjustments are located independently of the table top and in an accessible position irrespective of the movement of the table top so as to thereby enable the person makingthe adjustments toknow at all times exactly. where the control means is located. Another object of the invention is toprovide an operating table of adjustablecharacter wherein the'variousadjustments are effected by electrical means, thereby eliminating tedious man ual effort and furthermore increasing the speed with which the adjustments can be-made.

Another object "of the invention is to provide an operating table ofthelast mentioned character wherein all electric parts apt to cause electrical sparks, are sealed so as to avoid any danger of-exploslon hen inflammable or explosive fluids are used in the operating room and -par ticularly in'conjunction with an operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating table'of adjustable character which is so constructed that various adjustments may be made independently or simultaneously, with freedom of interference of one adjustment with respect to the other. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable operating table of such character that the surgeon or his assistant may make the necessary adjustments easily, quickly and accurately without becoming vun-sterile.

Other objects 'of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention reference maybe had to the accompanying drawings whereinf FigQifis a side elevationalview, partly in cross section,of an operating table constructed to one form of the invention, and illustrating several adjustments of which the table is capable,

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on a-larger scale, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig 1,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. l with parts of the table broken away for taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale taken substantiallyalong the line 3-610: Fig. ,11, Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1,-illustrating a construction wherein the adjustments are made by manually operated mechanisms instead'of electrically operated mechanisms,

Fig. 10 is a detail view illustrating a greased form' of switch control.

7 Referring. to Figs. 1 and 2, the table top illustrated comprises three sections I0, I I and i2 pivotally connected as generally indicated at l3 and i4. In a construction of this character it is intended that the patient lie on the table with the headonsection Ill andthat the'section' l2 constitute a fo'otrest: Section 10 alsoflincludes a laterally extendingkidn'ey rest located adja cent the pivot |3.-= Various adjustments may be made and before proceeding to "a description of the supporting and operating mechanisms, the

various adjustments will be briefly indicated.

In the first place the entire table may be moved upwardlyan'ddownwardly so as to change its elevationwith respect to the' floor. Sections 10 and I2 may be adjusted-respectively in either direction 'about'the pivots i3 and I4. Also, the entire table may -be tilted upwardlyor downwardly in the plane of its length and as shown by Fig.2, the entire table maybe tilted transversely r its-length, eitherdirctiomjThe kidney' 'rest l5 also may be raisedor lowered with respect to se'ction I0; Any adjustment may be made independently of or simultaneously with any'other'adjustment and regardless oi the degre'eflof any other adjustment. V V 1 As shown byFigs. 1 andj2 the table topis supported by a hollow base' 20, including a base plate 2| having a vertical wall 22 constituting the ends and sides of the base. Substantially atits center,

the base plate 21 has longitudinally spaced, vertically extending and transversely disposed walls 23 and 24 that integrallyjoin the longitudinally extending side walls22. The walls 23 and 24 at the upper ends have short flanges 25 directed towards each other and the laterally intermediate portions'of' these flanges and the central and upperportionsof the walls 23 and" 24 are integral with-'a'ring 26. The baseplate 2| between the walls 23 and 24 is open but is adapted 'to be closed normally by a cover plate 21. "It may be mentioned in this connection that the s'ide walls 22'a1ong the longitudinal and lower edges of the base have inwardly oii'set portions 29 extending substantially throughout the length of the base so as to provide recesses for enabling the surgeon to stand closer to the center of the operating table owing to the fact that the recesses permit projection of the feet thereinto. The base plate 21 and side wall 22 are adapted to be covered by an upper cover plate 30 closely and sealingly fitting the upper edges of the side and end walls 22 and the upper'edges oi the intermediate vertical walls 23 and 24, and if desired a sealing gasket may be used between such contacting edges. This cover may be fastened in place such as by bolts 3| as shown in Fig. i.

.m'ost position. table lifting member 39 which is reciprocatory in In vertical alignment with thering 26, the cover 30 has an'u'pwardly projecting tubular portion 32, reinforced by ribs 33 and the lower edge of this portion similarly has a close and sealing fit with the upper edge of the ring. Within the tubular portion 32, a bearing sleeve 34 is' adapted to engage and rest" upon the upper end of sleeve 34 when the sleeve 31 is in its lower- The sleeve 31 receives a tubular,

the sleeve 31. As best shown by Fig. 1, the sleeve 31 has a plurality of vertically directed grooves 40 in its inner surface, although only one is shown in this figure, and these grooves are adapted to receive lugs 4| secured by bolts 42 to the tubular member 38. One or more grooves 44 are provided in theouter surf'ace of the sleeve 31 and a pin or thelike 45 projecting inwardly from the bearing sleeve 34, proJectsinto this groove. Inasmuch ,as the bearing sleeve 34 is stationary and held against turning, "it is, apparent that the pin'j45 will prevent .turning of the sleeve 31 andthat the latter through the relation of the lugs 4| fto'the grooves 40 will prevent turningfof-the tubular member '39. It should be apparent that the liftingmember 39 may be raised separately until the lugs 4| reach the upper ends of the grooves 40 and that then the sleeve'31 is pickedup by the lugs andis moved with the member 39 until the lower end of the groove 44 reachesthe pin 45 on the bearing sleeve "34. telescopic assembly which'enables lifting the table through a substantial distancewithoutrequiring a long, integral lifting member. It might be noted that thegrooves 40 and 44 are so located that-with the lifting member in its uppermost positionfth'e'sleeves 34 and 31 and member 3 9 have substantial overlapping portions so asto insure astable assembly. I

For vertically reciprocating the tubular member 39, and as shown by Fig. 2, a threaded block 48 is tightly pressed into the lower end of the lifting member 39, and this block at its lower end has a shoulder 49 seated in a larger end portion 50 of the opening in the tubular member.

A screw 52 threaded through the block 48'extends upwardly to a point adjacent the upper end of the lifting member when the "parts are related as shownby Fig. 2, and the lower end of the screw is non-threaded and projects into a gear casing 53 fastened to the lower edge of the ring 26 by means of bolts 54. The non-threaded lower end of the screw is'journaled in a'ball thrust bearing 55 and above this bearing another portion of the screw is journaled in a similar bearing 56 held in place by means of an apertured cover'plate 51 secured to the upper side of This arrangement provides a meshes with a worm 82 that hasa smooth portion 63 as shown by Fig. 1, which projects externally of the gearcasing and through wall. 23 and is journaled in an offset portion 64 of the gear casing, as shown by- Fig. 2. As shown by Fig. 1, the outer end of the worm has a pinion 65 thereon which meshes with a pinion 66. on the shaft of a motor 61. The m0tor-is of a reversible type and .it will, therefore, be appreciated that the table may be raised and lowered depending upon which direction .the motor is operated. 1 7

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4 it will be noted that five-vertically disposed motors are provided in the hollow'base 28, asindicated at H, 12,13, 14v and 15. These motors may be of. a conventional type .wherein the motor casing has end covers, and in employing them, the end cover at the projecting "end of the motor shaft, is removed and the motor is then suspended from the base cover 38 by means of the-ordinary bolts indicated at I6, used for connecting the motor end covers and casing together. It will be noted that at the point of each motor suspension, the cover 38 is shaped and designed to serve as a substitute for the end cover of the motor, that has been removed.' Each motor shaft indicated at TI may be journaled in a bearing 18, and a seal I8 of conventional character may be employed around the shaft above thebearing. Above the .cover 88, the motor shaft 11 is connected to a flexible drive shaft mechanism 88, which is shown in cross section by Fig. 6., As shown by the latter figure, the mechanism includes a housing 8I and the shaft "projects upwardly into the housing and is provided with 'a worm 83 keyed on its upper end that is retained on the shaft by means of a nut 84. The worm meshes with a worm gear keyed to a shaft 86 which is journaled in bearings 81 and 88 located in openings 88 and 88 in'opposite sides of the housing. Spacing sleeves 8I and 82 are provided at opposite sides of the gear 85 for the purpose of properly locating the gear between the bearings. An upper cover plates 83 shown by Fig. 1 may close the upper side of the housing, and as shown by Fig 2, screws or bolts 84 may be used to secure the cover to the housing.

The bearings 81 and 88 are held in position against the sleeves SI and 82 by cover plates and 86 and it will be noted that the first mentioned cover plate has an opening through which the shaft 86 projects. Exteriorly to the cover plate 85, the shaft 86 is connected to a flexible drive shaft or cable which, as readily will be understood by those skilled in the art, may be similar to a speedometer drive shaft and may comprise a plurality of coiled springs wound around each other respectively, with one layer wound in one direction and the layer next to it wound in the other direction. This flexible shaft has a pin 98 secured to its end, which projects into an opening in the end of shaft 86 and is keyed thereto, as indicated at I88. For holding the flexible shaft connected to the shaft 88 a sleeve l8l is provided on the end of the former and which engages a collar I82 on the pin 88, and the sleeve in turn is held on a tubular portion I83 integralwith the cover-plate 85 by means of a threaded bushing I84. It will be appreciated that the flexible shaft is capable of transmitting rotary movement while being flexed practically to any degree and in any direction.

Owing to the fact that the turning torque of the motor shaft 11 largely is transmitted to worm gear 85 in a vertical direction, littletendency of the housing III to turnis present, but if found desirable, thehouslng may be bolted to th base cover 38. It maybementioned that the housing 8i preferably has a pilot portion I85 projecting into the cover 38 around the motorishaft ll, so as to positively locate and-further stabilize the position of thedrive mechanism. The same flexible drive connection is provided for each of-themotors IL-.12, 13,14 and I5 and for the purpose of clarityln thedescription hereafter, the flexible shafts .areqindicated .at 186, I81, I88, I89 and II8. 'Theseshafts extend to mechanismsfor making the various adjustments previously pointed out and these mechanisms and the manner inwhich .the table is mounted to adjustment will now be described. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the upperend of the lifting member 39 projects into a tubular 'portion I5 of a casting H6 and is secured thereto by lockin ins in projecting into tangentially arranged grooves in the adjacent surfaces of the lifting member. and tubular portions. In this connection itmay be pointed out that the upper end of the opening in the lifting member 38 preferably is closed by a plate II8. A worm I28 journaled in a'laterally ofi-set portionof the casting meshes with a worm gear I2I secured to one endof a shaft I22 which at its left end is journaled in ball bearings, l23 and I24 and at its right end in a plain bearing I25. A cover plate I26 closes the opening in the casting at the left end of the shaft I22 and also servesas a support for the ball bearing I23. 3 Theworm I28 may be driven by any oneof the vertically disposed motors in the base 28 and, as indicated-by Fig.v 1, the flexible drive 8 extending fromthemotor 15 extends into the casting I I6 and is connected to the worm I28...

, The shaft I22 adjacent the bearing -.I25 isprovided with a worm I21 that mesheswith a-worm gear sector I28 secured at ii ;s ends by bolts I28 to a sleeve I38 that iskeyed, ,as indicated at I3I, to a shaft I32 extending longitudinally of the table and which, as shown by Fig.1, is rotatably mounted in tubular end portions I33 and I34 of the casting H6. The sleeve I38 is located between the portions I33 and I34 of the casting I I6 and the segment I28 is located at the center of the sleeve. Above the segment I28 and extending to the ends thereof, a rib I36 is provided on the sleeve I38 and this rib terminates at its upper side in shoulder portions I3! and I38 adapted to engage respectively, shoulders I38 and I48 on the casting at opposite sides thereof so as to limit turning movement of shaft I32 by the worm wheel I21. A U-shape cover I42-fltsover the sleeve I38 and has peripheral wall portions I43 that cover the space between the portions I33 and I34 of the casting H6 and at each side of the rib I36, so as to close the open spaces without interfering with movement of the rib. It should now be appreciated that when the motor 15 is operated in one direction or the other, the shaft I32 is turned in a corresponding direction.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the shaft I32 extends beyond the ends of the tubular portions I33 and I34 of the casting I I6 and at its right end it projects into and is secured to a casting I45, while its left end projects into and is secured to a casting I46. As shown by Figs. 2 and 3, the casting I46 has oppositely disposed and aligned tubular arms I41 and I48 which are separated- *their.outerends, the:pins I50 pivotally support arms I5I and I52mounted thereon respectively and the latter, as best-shown byFig. 1, are rigidly connected to table top'section :I I.Z Asshown by Fig.=2,'the. pivot I3 is obtained by having an ear I53 on the arm I52 project into aslot I54 in section I; and employing a pin I55 for pivotally connecting the sectionsn This pin, as shown is secured in position by a set'screw I56. A similar.construction is provided at" the opposite edge of the table in connection with arm II- and the pivot I4 between-sections II and I2 maybe similarly arranged. although in this casethe ears on section II merely projecti'rom theend of the sectlon e..- 1 n.-

v As previously stated, section I0 is pivotal rela-' tive to section' II and about the pivot I3'-and for adjustablymovlng the section I0 relative to section II, as shown by Fig. 3,.a flexible drive mechanism I60 is mounted between. the tubular portions I41 and I48 of the casting'I46 and this drive'mechanisrn has trunnions I6I and I62 at opposite sides that receive the adjacent endsofthe pins I50. Hence the drive mechanism is pivotal about the same axis as the arms -I5I and I52. The mechanism is driven by the flexible shaft I06 and when the latter is'driven a screw I63 is moved upwardly or downwardly depending upon the direction of rotationof the shaft and the'upper end of this screw 'is pivotally connected to the section I0 and accordingly when the screw isreciprocated 'the section I0 is pivoted relative to the section' I I about the pivot I3 The flexible drive mechanism I60 between the shaft I06 and the screw I63 is substantially'the same as shown in Fig-5 which will be described hereafter. As also shown by Fig. l, the casting I45 at the right end of the shaft I32 similarly has abifurcated end which pivotally supports a similar flexible'drive mechanism 166 by means of opposed pins I61. This flexible drive mechanism may be driven by flexible shaft I01 and includes a screw I10 'that'is pivotally co'nnecte'd'at its upper end to the section II.'- This mechanism is adapted to turn Section II about the pins I50 and since section I0 is connected to section I I by means of the pivot I3 and is also connected operatively to the pins I50 by the screw I63 and flexible drive mechanism I60, both sections I0 and II will move as a unit when the mechanism I66 functions.

The right'end of section II as best shown by Fig. 5, has depending arms HI and H2 provided with pins I13 and I14 which pivotally support a drive mechanism I15, which as indicated previously, is the same as the flexible drive mechanisms I60 and I66. This drive mechanism includes a casting I16 having openings I11 and I18 in opposed sides thereof and inthese openings bearings I19 and I80 are provided, which rotatably support a shaft NH. The shaft is provided with a worm I82 within the housing, which is located on the shaft by means of short sleeves I83 and I84 engaging the bearings on the ends of the shaft, and at is left end the shaft projects through a cover plate I86 and is secured to the drive shaft I08.

The worm I82 meshes witha worm gear I81 in the housing I16 and this wheel is threaded on a screw I88 which is pivotally connected at its upper end to the foot rest section I2 of the table top, and which below the housing, as shown by Fig. 1, projects into a tubular receptacle I89 that depends from the housing and has a collar I90 thereon for limiting upward movement of the screw. Thus, when the shaft' I08 is turned, section I2 is adjusted relative to section II. f It will, however," be appreciated-that when section II is turned about theplns' I50'*by operation of flexible shaft I01, section--I I--will carry with itthe flexible drive mechanism -'I 15 and theffdot rest I2 without changing the'angularrelati'on of sections Hand I2 unlessflexibledrive I08 separately rotat i 2 :1

r The above described drive mechanism'ds identical to those*connectd'tothe screws-I63 and I10 and similarly, the latter have tubula'r receptacles for receiving their lower ends. Thus the mechanisms are covered as much'as is' possible, thereby avoiding exposed parts that are difllcult-tomaintain in a sanitary condition.

As shown-by Fig. 2 theright'end of thekidney rest I5 is .keyed to a' vertically reciprocating and non rotatable screw I95 having a rubber or similar cushioning ring I96 thereon under the rest. The screw-projects through the section I0 and into a casting "I91 and within the casting the screw is threaded through a worm gear' I98 sup- Ported in bearings I99 and below the casting it 6 projects downwardly into -a depending tubular receptacle 200.-- Within the receptacle the screw has a collarsimilar to collar I90 thereon for limiting upward movement of the screw. 'The worm gear I98 meshes with a worm I journaled in the housing I91, and, as best shown in Fig. 3,-this worm is securedto the flexible drive shaft I08." The left'end of the kidney rest I5, shown in Fig. 2,' is similarly mounted and is operated by a worm gear like gear I98 and a screw similar-to the screw I99, but in this case, the

threaded connection between the screw and worm gear is opposite thatsh'own'in connection with the right end of the kidney rest. Thus, when the worm 20I rotates, both ends of the kidney rest move vertically in the same direction.

It should be'apparent that any one of the adjustments controlled'by operation of any one of the' motors in the base 20 can be made independently of any other adjustment or at the same time 'without interference with any other adjustrnent. In fact, it is possible to make several or all adjustments simultaneously. A number of adjustments'may be made, and, as an example, the section I0 may be tilted upwardly at the sametime that the section I I with the section I0 is tilted upwardly about the pins I50 so as to have both sections inclined upwardly with respect to the horizontal, and the foot rest may be inclined downwardly from the right end of section II. Any one of the sections could be tilted in the other directions at any time and, if section II is tilted, all three sections will move together without'changing their relative positions unless their respective motors are operated for this purpose. Furthermore, the entire table may be tilted laterally, as shown by Fig. 2, and this may be accomplished at any time or simultaneously with any other adjustment.

It may be mentioned that the several flexible drive shafts extending from the motors are spirailed around the tubular portion 32 of base cover and also around the casting H6, and from the latter extend respectively to the adjusting mechanisms. This avoids loosely hanging shafts that would be undesirable in appearance and also in the-way. "Upon raising 'or lowering of the table,'the spiralled shafts would expand and contract similarly'to elongation and contraction of a coiled spring.

Forcontrolling the operation of the various motors, the left end wall 22 on the base 20 may have aninsulating plate 205 therein through 'which conductors 206 may extend for-connection with the six motors in the base respectively. Beyond the end ofthebase' 20, a casting 201 may be provided forreceiving the conductors and such "conductors then extend through a tubular standard203; rotatabiy mounted in the upper end of the casting. The standard 208, as shown by Fig. 1, serves as a support for a seat 209 and also has ably the" switches will be op'erable in oil in 'the 'switc h box 2H to avoid' any sparking. The electrical circuitis not shown, but" it will be understood that an'electrical power line will extend into the base'and will beconnected to the motors and conductors 206'in any conventional manner'that will enable individual control of each of th'emotors by operation ,of the switches H2. The swivel mounting of the standard 208 enables the operator of the switches to remain seated on the seat 209 and the seat is so disposed that the anesthetist may control operation of the motors without moving from the seat. Furthermore, the seat is so disposed that detailed observation of the different adjustments may be observed and, in this manner;- the anesthetist may quickly make all adjustments without difiiculty. As shown by F 'ig. 10, each switch 2| 2 is'pivotally mounted' and' is normally maintained in a neutralpositlon by a spring 235 so that the operation'of the motor continues only as long as hand pressure is maintained'onthe switch to hold it in one-circuit closing position or in the reversing circuit position. The handle for the switch comprises a member 236 having a handle portion 231 threaded thereinto wherein both parts are constructed of insulating material such as glass. This construction is advantageous in that the anesthetist or other normally un-sterile person, who make adjustments, may, it required, use the members 236 for operating the switches, leaving the handles 231 for use by the sterile surgeon or his assistant. The handles being removable. can easily be keptin a sterile condition so that the operating surgeon or his assistant may make the adjustments without contamination.

The above switch construction will permit the surgeon or his assistant to make all adjustments themselves and this is really desirable if it does not interfere with the operation. Since the handles are sterile and can be easily maintained sterile owing to removability for sterilization, and since the control box is readily accessible and the adjustments can be quickly and accurately made, the operating surgeon or his assistant will have no difficulty in making the necessary adjustments without any undesired interference. As a matter of fact, it is very desirable that the surgeon or his assistant do this as they know exactly the adjustment and degree of adjustment wanted and when they can quickly and accurately do it themselves, it really becomes a part of the operating procedure and is not a detraction or interruption such as when others make the adjustments.

The swivel mounting for the switch box enables moving it to a position nearer to the surgeon or his assistant so that they need not move out of position to make the adjustments. If desired, the switch box could be mounted on a stationary part near the normal operating position of the surgeon. Again two sets of'controls could be used, one'nearthe' surgeon's normal position and the other on the swiveled' post M0 and, by using removable switch handles for the surgeon's One very import'ant'advantage of the invention thereforeis to provide a table that the sterile *surgeon and hisasslstantmay'operate quickly,

easily and accurately at anytime desired, with practically no'interruption, while still avoiding contamination.

A capacity or condensor unit H3 is shown in control boxfth'ey could always be maintained -sterile while leaving a switch box for the anesthetist'orniirses that need not'be sterile.

the base of the motor, and it will be understood that this is in the motor circuits. A unit of this characteris conventionally used in motor circuits, where the motor must start under a heavy or full load;

While the person making'adjustments normally will not'make any adju'stment complete or to the full extent of -the adjustment, it is desirable to avoid a condition where any motor would remain energized if its control switch is not operated upon reaching a limit of the adjustment. This' is accomplished byproviding a suitable cartridge fuse in'the switch box 2H foreach motor circuit, so thatif any adjustment reaches its limit, the increased load on the motor 'will blow the fuse. Cartridge fuses are desirablein that no spark or heated conductor becomes exposed when the fuse is blown. Ajsealed compartment for the fuses of course could be used. v

Movement of the table from one position to another may be'readily accomplished byproviding a roller at each corner of the'base 20, and, as shown by Fig.8, this roller is mounted in a box 2l5 s'ecured by screws 216 'to the ends of the base at the corners thereof, and within the base a roller 2H is provided whichis journaled in the lower and bifurcated end of a supporting member 2l8. A bolt 219 having a cam portion 220 maybe employed for adjusting the height of the member 2l8.

For the purpose of providing supports along the edges of the table top for various purposes, such as hanging elements along the edge of the table, the several sections may have projections 225 at opposite ends thereof, which are apertured for receiving rods 226 that may be held in place by removable and tapered pins 221 projecting through openings in the projections 225 and into tangential slots in the ends of the rods. This arrangement facilitates removal of the rods and maintenance thereof in a sanitary condition.

The construction shown by Fig. 9 is substan tially the same as the previous construction described, with the exception that it is manually operated instead of electrically operated. In this case, the worm 62 in the base of the com struction, as shown by Fig. 2, is driven by a flexible shaft 230. The several shafts extend to a support 23l that may be mounted on a standard 232 projecting from the base 20 adjacent the seat 209. On the support 23!, operating cranks 233 may be provided which may be connected to the flexible shafts respectively in a suitable manner, such as by means of a worm and worm gear so that when any crank is operated, its respective flexible shaft is driven. It will be noted that the support 23l is adjacent the seat 209 and this enables the anesthetist to manually operate the controls without movement from the 6 f seatiiit. While tlie support BI is shownas being ,parallelfto .the. side ofthe operating table, it may 'as the anesthetist and a nurse, to jointly make the adjustments so as to avoiddelay. Again the invention enables a single un-sterile nurse or anesthetist to make the adjustments without interfering. with the sterile surgeon .or his assistant and causing them to move away from the table to avoid contamination. Also, the in vention enables the surgeon'or his assistant to make theadjustments themselves quickly and accurately, while still maintaining their sterile condition, and this is desirable as only the surgeon or his assistant know the adjustment wanted unless they inform others, and it is advantageous that they be able to make the adjustments as they can proceed instantly. with the adjustment as soon as it is required without stopping to explain to others what adjustment is. wanted. If the adjustments can be made quickly, easily and accurately, the surgeon or his assistant would much prefer to do it, as. they know what they want and would prefer not tobe bothered with explaining it or watching and directing others doing it. Additionally the invention providesa construction which is electrically operated, thereby avoiding tedious manual efforts as well as increasing the rapidity of adjustment. At the same time in this electrical arrangement, danger of sparking is positively avoided.

In general, therefore, the invention avoids the time requiringinterruptions, distractions to the surgeon, danger of contamination and slowness, difliculty and inaccuracy of control that have characterized previous constructions. In contrast the invention provides a construction which allows the surgeon to proceed with the operation with a minimum of interference and distrac tion. both of which factors are hi hly conductive -to the exercise of that skillof which the surgeon is capable. I Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in-detail,

it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from'the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A surgeon's operating table comprising a,

for moving the table through its diiferentdirections of adjustment, the cables being disposed in coil formation so as .to permit their springlike extension and contraction during the various adjustments of the table while still avoiding loose extensionspf cables in the driving connections.

2. A surgeons operating table comprising a table top, a base, a standard for supporting the table top on the base, means mounting the top on the standard for movement in different directions of adjustment, a plurality of motors, and means including flexible drive shaft cables driven respectively by themotors for moving the table through its different directions of adjustment, the cables generally being spiraled around the standard so as to avoid loose lengths of' cable under the table top and also to provide an arrangement permitting extension and contraction of the cable during the adjustments.

3. A surgeon's loperating table comprising a hollow base, vertically disposed electric motors in the base and having the upper ends of their shafts'projecting above the base, means sealing the motors in the base so as to prevent ignition of combustible fluids around the table by electric sparks in the motors, a table top, means mounting the table top on the base for adjustment in different directions, top adjusting means, flexible drive shafts connecting the motors and top adjusting means for effecting such different adjustments, and means for governing operation of the motors respectively.

WILLIAM H. MANNING. HOWARD B. BARKER. 

